Legislators want results from State of the State address

COLUMBIA — Gov. Matt Blunt will step to the podium tonight to give his annual State of the State address in which he looks back at how the state fared in 2007 and where it is headed in 2008.

Whether or not the state enjoyed success or faced struggle, though, varies based on whom you speak to.

Where to watch or listen

The State of the State begins at 7 p.m.
These local media will broadcast the speech live.
TV: KOMU/Channel 8 and KRCG/Channel 13
Radio: KRLL/1420 AM, KSSZ/93.9 FM
Online: gov.missouri.gov/index.

State Rep.Steve Hobbs, of the 21st District, said in an interview before the speech, that he thought 2007 had been an overall successful year.

“I want to hear some more details on the governor’s Insure Missouri program,” Hobbs said. He also wants to know more about scholarships for higher education and how illegal immigration can be prevented on a state level. “(The speech) is a glimpse of what (the governor) will advocate for.”

Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, said that he is looking for a shared vision that supports public education and resources for health care in the governor’s State of the State Address.

Harris, a state representative since 2002, said that he predicts the governor will talk about major issues such as immigration, abortion, higer education and health care, but adds that there are always surprises in his State of the State speech that are hard to predict. “I don’t want to see soke and mirrors,” he said of the governor’s speech, “I want to see results.”